I visited Karen’s 9 day old puppies today. What a difference between 9 days and 9 weeks!! They learn so much and grow so much in a short period of time. It’s pretty amazing. This week we practiced more of the same. But they have also enjoyed some outdoor time. The wind was strong today, but that just meant they might be lucky enough to find a leaf. I noticed that the puppies are displaying more independence this week. If they were children, I would say they are testing the boundaries.
Chandler and Wilson love to sit on top of the sofa.
Sassy and Oliver would like to introduce the latest puppies, born Wednesday, December 9, 2020. Three little girls. Have to get this posted as tomorrow is their 1 week birthday and will be posting new pictures.
This picture was taken shortly after the last little girl (Blue girl) was born at 11:40 p.m.
The pups went to the vet yesterday for their first puppy shots and their physical exam. It is quite extensive, checking general appearance, eyes, ears, teeth and occlusion, heart, lungs, abdomen, musculoskeletal, skin, lymph nodes, urogenital, nervous system, patella exam. All the puppies are normal in all areas. My vet said they are a healthy bunch. I asked how they did and he said it was typical. “The boys were pansies. The girls were tough.”
It seems like more of everything this week: more food, more play time, more time running through the house, more grooming (more complaining). There have been some new experiences. The pups are spending one on one time with me, I have begun leash training. So far, none of them has freaked out. Today they had their first car ride. They handled that quite well also.
Seven weeks old today:
Picture day!
The pups are now eating three or four meals a day. They like their food and are gaining at a good pace.
We’re still practicing with the brush and comb. Other things to de-sensitize them for future grooming are rubbing their feet and pulling a few hairs from their ears. This should make these tasks easier for them and for their groomer.
They enjoy running around the house (with supervision). Today they “helped” me fluff up the Christmas tree.
The babies are 5 weeks old today. They celebrated by getting their first bath, hairdryer, brushed, clippers, nails and pictures. Karen offered to help at exactly the right time. She came over and helped with nails and encouraged me to finish the clipping and she refined my grooming.
Other firsts this week: beginning training using a litter box, wearing collars, moving to a larger play area right in the midst of the activity.
It was a long wait, due to Covid restrictions in the state of Washington, but Wilson was able to “strut his stuff” this past weekend. He became a champion Saturday, Nov. 14.
At 4 weeks old:
- The puppies have a new sleep area and during the day they have a play area. Chandler would really like to play with them, but he has to observe from outside the xpen.
- Potty training has begun. It’s surprising how many times the puppies toddle over to the puppy pad and do their business.
- They have been introduced to the brush and comb. It’s never too early to start!
- Hair has been cut around their eyes and other strategic places.
- Playtime is not new, but it is getting more ferocious. They are FIERCE!
- They have begun to teethe.
The puppies have changed so much between weeks two and three. As you can see, their eyes are fully opened. They have begun to play together. The most surprising is the smallest male, the Green Boy. He goes right up to his bigger brothers and paws at them and tries to wrestle them to the ground. The pups are noticing toys and like to sleep next to the fluffy ones. I introduced a tunnel into their area today but so far none have gone through. I see more walking around and sometimes they even seem to get where they planned to go!